Unemployment Rate Up
June 16, 2012
The latest job numbers released Friday showed an increase in unemployment in the three-county North Escambia area — as Florida’s employment rate was down a full two percentage points from one year ago.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate increase from 8.1 percent in April to 8.4 percent in May. There were 627 more reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 11,573 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 9.7 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment held steady from April to May at 7.6 percent. Santa Rosa County had a total of 5,449 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.5 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment jumped from 7.8 percent in April to 9.0 percent. That represented 1,342 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 10.5 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Florida’s unemployment rate in May fell to 8.6 percent, down 0.1 percent from April and 2.0 percent lower than a year ago, the Department of Economic Opportunity reported Friday. The U.S. rate remained unchanged from April and remained at 8.2 percent.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 7.4 percent in May, was up from April’s rate of 7.2 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.3 percent.
Sunny Skies, No Rain
June 16, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. East wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southeast wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Thursday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
1,200 Elderly Or Disabled Adults Reported Abused In Escambia, Santa Rosa
June 16, 2012
Over 1,200 elderly or disabled adults were reported to be abused last fiscal year in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, elder abuse is an often under-recognized and unreported problem. Research indicates that more than one in ten elders may experience some type of abuse, but only one in five cases or fewer are reported. Many times the elderly are abused by people they trust. Elders can be reluctant to report their abuse and often go without the help they need.
With 941 reported cases, Escambia County led the Florida Panhandle in the case of abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly or disabled adults last fiscal year. There were 263 cases reported in Santa Rosa County.
“Every day, hundreds of elderly or disabled adults are being mistreated physically, emotionally or financially,” said DCF Secretary David Wilkins. “Please take time to check on your family members, friends and neighbors to make sure that the needs of these vulnerable members of our community are being met.”
DCF offers the following ways you can help prevent abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults:
- If you suspect an elderly or disabled adult is being victimized, call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
- Keep in contact with older friends, neighbors and relatives. It might be their only chance to talk to someone about any problems they might be experiencing.
- Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to identify programs and support, such as Meals on Wheels. These programs help seniors maintain health, well-being and independence.
- Volunteer at a local program that helps vulnerable adults.
Friday was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Photo Gallery: Summer Fest At The Ole Mill Pond
June 16, 2012
Summer Fest at the Ole Mill Pond was held Friday afternoon at Century Care Center. Local vendors were on hand selling their wares and there was live entertainment and more.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Obama Administration To Stop Deporting Some Young Illegal Immigrants (With Video)
June 16, 2012
The Obama Administration announced Friday that nearly 800,000 “dreamers” – undocumented children who grew up here – won’t face deportation but be offered at least temporary safe harbor in the United States, bringing reaction from all sides on an issue that has long vexed the nation and Congress.
Speaking to reporters from the White House Friday afternoon, President Barack Obama said the Department of Homeland Security would immediately adopt a set of guidelines that would allow the children of illegal immigrants to stay in the United States in many cases.
Called “Dreamers,” for the “Dream Act” proposals that have sought to provide a path to college for “American” children of undocumented immigrants, the group includes children and young adults who came to the United States before they turned 16 and consider their adopted country home. Many, in fact, do not remember living in their native country and have forgotten or never acquired the language of their parents.
In the meantime, they have grown up going to U.S. schools, working in U.S. jobs and sometimes fighting in U.S. wars, all the while facing potential deportation because their parents brought them into the country illegally.
“They are Americans in their hearts, in their minds and in every other way but one, on paper,” Obama said.
(Article continues below video, scroll down.)
The directive gives immigration officials the right to focus their attentions elsewhere without actually changing the law. The rule sets out a number of criteria, limiting the protections to people under 30 who were brought to the U.S. before they turned 16. To qualify, they must also have been enrolled in school, lived at least five consecutive years in the country and have no criminal record.
Congress has been wrangling over the Dream Act for several years but has failed to act, Obama said Friday, in explaining in part why the administration was stepping in. Earlier Friday, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the change in policy, which can go into effect without congressional approval.
Reaction to the new rule and Obama’s announcement was immediate.
“Today’s announcement will be welcome news for many of these kids desperate for an answer, but it is a short term answer to a long term problem,” Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio said in a statement. “And by once again ignoring the Constitution and going around Congress, this short term policy will make it harder to find a balanced and responsible long term one.”
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, agreed.
“If I’m president, we’ll do our very best to have that long-term solution,” Romney told reporters during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. “An executive order is, of course, just a short-term matter that can be reversed by subsequent presidents.”
“I’m extremely disappointed the President has chosen to circumvent the Legislative Branch in an election year attempt to implement a policy he couldn’t get through Congress. This action is an enormous power grab by the Executive Branch and completely disregards the rule of law. It effectively bypasses Congress and grants what is essentially amnesty for a portion of the illegal immigrant population,” Rep. Jeff Miller said.
“The Obama Administration’s attempt to completely bypass the policy of an elected Congress is a tremendous breach of trust with the American people and seriously threatens the separation of powers so fundamental to our democracy. Further, I feel this action will negatively impact the scores of unemployed Americans who are currently looking for jobs,” Miller continued
Interviewed by “The Hill” newspaper, U.S. Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) said he’s concerned that the effort could be used as a “backdoor” to ultimately allow non-citizens to vote, either this fall or in the future.
“How far down the rabbit hole will it go?” West asked.
Other groups offered unequivocal support.
The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials praised the move for recognizing the contributions of immigrants to improve their adopted home.
“The Administration’s directive recognizes that law-abiding immigrant youth who are currently in school, or have completed their high school education or served in the military and meet several other key criteria should be provided protection from removal and the ability to seek gainful employment in the United States,” the group said.
By The News Service of Florida
NWE 9-10U Beats Evergreen, Advances In District Tournament
June 16, 2012
Northwest Escambia’s 9-10U All Star team defeated Evergreen Friday night 17-7 to advance in the 2012 All Star District Tournament in Evergreen, AL.
NWE will play Opp at 4:00 Saturday afternoon at Evergreen Municipal Park.
Pictured: The NWE 9-10U All Stars Friday night in Evergreen, AL. Photo by Michelle Thomas for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Recognizes Scholarship, Special Award Recipients
June 16, 2012
Tate High School presented or recognized the following special awards or scholarships for members of the Class of 2012 recently:
- Matthew Warren – University of Alabama Engineering Scholarship
- Daniel Pierce – Florida State University College of Medicine Scholarship
- Daniel Pierce and Tatiana Teate – Take Stock In Children Scholarship
- Chase Carroll – Wings Over America (US Navy) Scholarship
- Rhett Chancellor – National Merit Letter of Commendation
- Courtney Graves – Future Educators of America Scholarship (also 2 other Education-related scholarships)
- Jasmine Baldwin – MLK Scholarship from International Paper for Florida A&M University
- Antonio Odom – Pensacola Civitan of the Year
- Sarah Barlow, Asia Cravens and Tatiana Teate – Received a Congressional Record from Jeff Miller in honor of the Mock Trial Team winning the Florida State Championship
- Pensacola Interstate Fair Educational Grant Recipients: Chase Carroll, Katelyn Clairain, Morgan Geary and Megan Gibbs
Voter Registration Deadline Approaching For August Primary Election
June 16, 2012
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford is reminding voters that Monday, July 16 will be the last day to register to vote or change party affiliation for those who wish to cast a ballot in the August 14 Primary Election.
Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election. New registrations must be completed on or before the end of the business day on July 16 in order for them to be effective for the August 14 election. Address changes can be made after the books close. If you are unsure of your registration status, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click “Am I Registered?”.
Escambia County citizens have several ways to register or update their record:
Online/By Mail: Visit EscambiaVotes.com and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License number, a valid Florida ID number, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Completed applications must be received no later than July 16 to: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601. Or, take the completed application to the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola. Also, to have a form mailed to you, call (595-3900) or e-mail the Elections Office (soe@escambiavotes.com).
In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available to pick up at many locations countywide. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit EscambiaVotes.com or call or e-mail the Elections Office.
For voters who wish to cast a ballot by mail (an absentee ballot), go to EscambiaVotes.com and complete the online request form, or call or e-mail the elections office. Early voting begins August 4 at several locations throughout Escambia County.
Weekend Gardening: Tomato Pests
June 16, 2012
June is prime time for growing tomatoes here in Escambia County, but it’s also the best time to see a lot of pests in tomatoes that can totally ruin a crop. To help you figure out what’s “bugging” your tomatoes, here’s a quick rundown of some of the pests that you might see in your garden. Much of the information in this article was adapted from the University of Florida EDIS (Electronic Data Information Source) publication Insect Management for Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplant. Management techniques for the pests will be found in the full publication.
Click any photo to enlarge.
Silverleaf Whitefly
The adult silverleaf whitefly is small, approximately 1/16 of an inch in length, and has powdery white wings held tent-like while at rest over a yellow body. Whiteflies are usually found on the undersides of leaves. Eggs, which are yellow and football-shaped, are attached upright by a tiny stalk inserted into the lower leaf surface. A mobile first instar (growth stage), or crawler stage, hatches from the egg and settles on the leaf. It then develops through immobile second, third, and fourth instars which look like semi-transparent, flat, oval scales. The fourth instar or “pupa” is more yellow and more easily seen without the aid of a hand lens, and typically has very distinct eyespots, and is referred to as a “red-eyed nymph.”
As the plant grows, leaves bearing the maturing nymphs are found lower down on the plant, so older nymphs can be found by looking at older leaves. Whiteflies ingest sap from the plant vascular system (phloem) through stylets similar to those of aphids and, like aphids, process a relatively large volume of plant sap by excreting excess liquid in the form of a sugary substance called honeydew. The honeydew will result in sooty mold—a black, powdery looking substance that reduces photosynthesis in the leaves. Sometimes the nymphs will feed on the fruit and that will cause white tissue on the inside of the fruit walls.
Aphids
Aphids are soft-bodied, sucking insects that can rapidly colonize plants due to their short life cycle. Adults are delicate, pear- or spindle-shaped insects with a posterior pair of tubes (cornicles), which project upward and backward from the end of the abdomen and which are used for excreting a defensive fluid. In Florida, winged and wingless forms are all female and give birth to living young (nymphs). Nymphs are smaller but otherwise similar in appearance to wingless adults, which they become in 7 to 10 days.
Heavy aphid infestations may cause stunting and leaf distortion. Feeding on blossoms reduces fruit set. Sooty mold will grow on the honeydew that the aphids excrete. Aphids may also spread plant viruses.
Brown and Green Stink Bugs and Leaf-footed bugs
Like aphids and whiteflies, true bugs are sucking insects. True bugs can be recognized by their front wings, which are leathery close to the body but membrane-like at the tips. Nymphs resemble adults in shape but are often colored differently and do not have fully developed wings. Stink bugs are green or brown shield-shaped bugs 1/2 to 2/3 of an inch long. Eggs are barrel-shaped and found on the undersides of leaves in masses of 10 to 50.
Leaf-footed bugs are dark-colored true bugs with parallel sides. Eggs are metallic and ovate but somewhat flattened laterally and laid in clusters. Some leaf-footed bugs lay their eggs end-to-end in a single row or chain along a stem or leaf midrib. Nymphs are oblong in shape and red in color, especially on the abdomen.
Nymphs and adults of both stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs suck juices from green fruit leaving a puncture which later may become surrounded by a discolored zone due to invasion of secondary pathogens. Stink bug feeding punctures are often surrounded with a lightened, sometimes depressed, blotch beneath the fruit surface caused by the removal of cell contents and the enzymes injected by the bug. Leaf-footed punctures may cause fruit to become distorted as they enlarge
Tomato Hornworm
There are many caterpillars that can feed on tomatoes but the tomato hornworm can strip a plant of leaves in a few days. The adult moth is large with mottled brown forewings that are longer than the lighter brown hind wings. The sides of the abdomen have five yellow spots on the sides. The female moth will lay eggs on the upper and lower surfaces of leaves. The adult moths are nectar feeders on many flowers and may be seen in the early evening around gardens and flowers.
The emerging caterpillars will feed on leaves and go through several molts as they develop into large green caterpillars with a black ‘horn’ on the tip of the abdomen. Caterpillars are also identified by the white or yellow ‘V’ marks on the sides of the abdomen. When it is time to pupate, the caterpillars drop to the soil and make a cell for changing to the adult moth. The pupa is reddish brown and has a loop structure at the head that contains the mouthparts. There are normally two generations of tomato hornworm a year and as late summer arrives, the hornworm goes through a resting phase.
Other plants in the tomato family can be eaten by tomato hornworms but tomatoes are the favorite in our area. The caterpillars will eat entire leaves and initially work their down on the plant, eating leaves, blossoms, and even green fruit. Because they blend in with green foliage, a homeowner will often overlook the caterpillar despite its large size.
Hornworm does have natural enemies so be cautious before reaching for the insecticide. They can also be easily handpicked and destroyed after you find them.
If you would like further information, please contact the Escambia County Extension office, (850) 475-5230.
Farm Fresh: Cantonment Market Open
June 16, 2012
The Market at St. Monica’s will be open Saturday in Cantonment offering a wide variety of farm fresh produce, plants, crafts and other products.
The Market at Saint Monica’s will be held from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the church, located at 699 South Highway 95A in Cantonment.
Vendors are expected to sell a variety of items Saturday, including: corn, peas, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, fresh eggs, mayhaw berries and jellies, hot dogs, pop corn, paintings, herbs, potted plants, sewn items, Mennonite baked goods, home decor, homemade quilts, goat milk soap and more.
For more information, visit www.st-monicas.org/market.html.
Pictured: A portion of the produce available at the June 2 edition of the Market at St. Monica’s. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.